Page:The Church of England, its catholicity and continuity.djvu/35

 dream was, that S. Peter visited him at night and scourged him for his cowardice in contemplating flight; when he awoke in the morning, the marks of the scourging were left. These marks the Bishop showed to the heathen king. The king, frightened at what he saw, forsook his idolatrous worship, and henceforth favoured Christianity. Kent, again, was reclaimed to the Faith. Many new Churches were rebuilt. Justus was called back once more to Rochester from the Continent. But the Mission to London and Essex had failed entirely. The people would not receive back Mellitus, and for thirty-eight years more that part of England was again steeped in heathenism.

We must now turn our attention to another part of England, to the North country, to Northumbria. This district was now about to receive the Gospel. Northumbria was one of the most important kingdoms of England at this time, and Edwin its king—one of England's most powerful kings. He sought in marriage the hand of Ethelberga, the sister of Eadbald, king of Kent. She was a Christian, and she consented to the marriage on the condition only, that she should be allowed to observe the customs of her religion. For this purpose, when she went to Edwin's court to live, she carried with her a Christian Bishop, named Paulinus, and a deacon named James. This was in the year 625. It is due to the efforts of Paulinus that the North again was taught the doctrines of Christianity. The same success we find attended his Mission, as followed the Mission of Augustine in Kent. Paulinus sought every opportunity to spread the Gospel. He tried hard to win the heart of the king. Several events happened, propitiously for him. One was, that